Labour Governments and Private Industry: The Experience of 1945-1951

Synopsis

"In 1945 a Labour government with socialist aspirations was elected. Prior to this, much of the Left's political energy had been directed towards nationalisation and the private sector had been seen as peripheral. Equally the private sector was ill-prepared to deal with a Labour government. Despite the coolness between the two, the war had left a legacy of a high level of interaction between private industry and the forces of government. Labour Governments and Private Industry examines in detail the complex relationship between the Labour government and the private sector. The first part of the book analyses the types of policy in operation and their implementation. The second part takes certain sectors of British industry as case studies, to consider the practical application of these policies. Throughout the book, the contributors focus their arguments around three main questions. To what extent were the policies of this Labour government actually socialist? What was the role of the Labour government as a modernising agency in the private sector? What was the power of private industry to hinder the policies of the government?" "Despite the centrality of the years 1945-51 for an understanding of Britain's long-term industrial problems, this is the first historical study of the relationship between privately-owned industry and the government during the period. Its relevance for contemporary politics can hardly be overestimated. This reconsideration of a crucial period, with the benefits of the modern perspective, is timely and necessary." Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved